Produced and distributed at the end June, the new hour-long film celebrates the wonders of the Park, as Iolo Williams takes viewers on an inspirational journey around the Brecon Beacons, in all weathers.

Ben Fogle, President of the Council for National Parks acknowledged his childhood love of the Brecon Beacons in his introduction to the DVD saying: “One of the perks of my job is that I get to visit many of our National Parks. One of my favourites is the Brecon Beacons - I used to go there as a child. I’ve returned for both work and for pleasure and I’m currently planning a return trip!”

Produced by the Brecon Beacons DVD Company Ltd in partnership with the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, the DVD looks at everything from wildlife to castles, Brecon Jazz to hang gliding.  It also captures some of the Park’s 50th Anniversary celebrations at the National Park Visitor Centre, near Libanus, during a year of events, activities and displays.

Iolo Williams said of his time filming in the Brecon Beacons: “Seeing Pen y Fan from the air - and later covered in snow – is an amazing sight. The Brecon Beacons truly has some of Europe’s finest landscapes.

“When you travel around the Park you get to see its breathtaking beauty and diversity – and that’s what we’ve tried to capture in the DVD,” says Iolo. “As well as being one of Britain’s ‘breathing spaces’, this National Park really does have hidden depths – miles of caves and tunnels, created by underground rivers over millions of years!”

Chris Gledhill, Chief Executive of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said:  

“Brecon Beacons National Park has over 2000km of well-maintained footpaths, bridleways, cycle and canal routes, along with a diverse range of recreational activities, from horse riding to cycling, fishing to kayaking, and my personal favourite - walking. Many of our visitors don’t have the opportunity to ‘climb the mountains’ or ‘ride the rivers’ so this new film creates an experience that allows people to enjoy our landscape in any weather in the comfort of their home.  

“Everyone should be able to ‘live’ the Park experience and this new DVD is like taking home a little piece of the Brecon Beacons. It captures not only the natural wonder of the Brecon Beacons National Park but also its one-of-a-kind status as a UNESCO designated Geopark and a sustainable tourism destination.”

Producers Matthew Davies and Andrew Goode spent a year filming the DVD said: “We wanted to show off the National Park’s ever-changing beauty over the seasons.  We used a helicopter with a gyro-stabilised camera mount, helmet-cams and a 20ft crane to give a new perspective on the Park’s wonderful landscapes. Being waist deep in snow up southern Britain’s highest mountain (Pen y Fan) was quite an experience, but seeing the shots in the finished film made it all worthwhile!”

In addition to the hour-long film, a half-hour documentary made by the Sleeping Giant Foundation has been included as a DVD extra. This gives the personal stories of those who’ve lived and worked in the Park for many years.

The official Brecon Beacons National Park DVD is available and free 3 minute trailer with Ben and Iolo (with Welsh and English subtitles) from http://www.breconbeaconsdvd.co.uk

and from all Brecon Beacons National Park Visitor Centres and Tourist Information Centres. 

Or to order your copy by telephone please call: 01874 623 366.